Joc Pederson Excited To Work With D-backs Team, Coaches
The D-backs made the signing of outfielder and designated hitter Joc Pederson official today. Pederson was signed to a one-year, $9.5 million deal, with a $14 million mutual option for a second year.
The outfielder addressed the media today, discussing his excitement to be a part of this young D-backs group and work with Arizona's coaching staff.
“I think it’s a really great fit for me and my family. They came off such a historic year, it’s a young group of guys that are hungry, that play the game the right way. The coaching staff seems incredible, that maintains a standard throughout the whole 162," said Pederson, "I’m really excited to be a part, and try to help out in any way that I can with a lot of their young talent.”
Pederson noted his respect for the D-backs organization, even in his days of playing for rivals like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. But Arizona's young stars helped make the D-backs a desirable squad to be a part of.
"This is a special group, Diamondbacks baseball. They’ve always does the little things right, and now they’ve added some of these young superstars that are changing the game, stealing bases, hitting home runs. They’re electric out there, and I want to be a part of it."
Pederson had high praise for the D-backs in their World Series run as such a young team. The veteran lefty bat said he didn't feel as if it was a fluke that that Arizona ended up where they did.
"It’s not a coincidence. Some people handle chaos better than others. To take down the Dodgers… and then the Phillies, I wouldn’t say that that’s luck, I think that’s being able to adjust and adapt to certain situations, changes. You’re down for a little bit and somehow your guys stick together."
Pederson noted how the D-backs don't rely on singular stars, but rather function, in the words of manager Torey Lovullo, as a connected team.
"It’s no one person that’s leading the way, it’s all 26 guys pulling on the same string, with one common goal. And I think thats a lot more powerful than a lot of superstar-centered teams, so you can really tell that they have that, that they leave their egos at the door while having fun doing it. Looks like they have a lot of fun on the field… I'm excited to be a part of it."
Notably, Pederson referenced the 2015 Kansas City Royals, and how, after losing the 2014 World Series, returned a year later to take home the trophy. The outfielder compared them to this Diamondbacks squad, and feels that Arizona has the ability to do what that Royals team did.
"This is a group that is very capable of doing that. I’ve been in a lot of playoffs, and kind of understand the chaos that goes on, and can help any way I can, but they didn’t really need much help."
But it's not just the players that were a factor in Pederson's decision. The veteran outfielder noted his respect for D-backs first base and outfield coach Dave McKay and the work he's done on both the base paths and in the outfield.
"I’ve seen it in action, I’ve seen him help a lot of guys steal a good amount of bases that aren’t necessarily speedsters… I've seen him make huge improvements in the outfield with some guys that weren’t as good, and I've seen him really lock in some of the guys that are more skilled out there," said Pederson, "Even if I don't get a lot of opportunities in the game and on the field, I'll be putting the work in with him, and then when the opportunities present themself, make the best of them and go from there.”
On manager Torey Lovullo, Pederson did his research. From every source he spoke to, he found nothing but love for Lovullo. A zoom call with the manager brought Pederson to the conclusion that Lovullo was "an incredible human," and "a great baseball mind," but the lefty isn't the only one to think so.
"I asked around and everyone loves this guy. Every single person would run through a wall for this guy... I've heard he handles everything, he communicates really well, he's up front, honest, he wants to win, he’s smart. So I’m really looking forward to playing for him, picking his brain, learning from him.”
Pederson will look to produce at a better rate with Arizona, following a .235/.348/.416 slash with San Francisco last year. But to the veteran, the numbers themselves aren't his priority.
“I don't really look at numbers much... I like to get with the hitting coach and figure out the best game plan to win that one at-bat, and then move on, and then get with him again before my next at bat… Not get to much into the results of it, knowing that I’ve prepared, I’ve done everything, put myself in the best position to succeed."
Arizona's new DH will have his work cut out for him, but the left-handed bat is coming in with a desire to be a part of the organization and a motivation to help out however he can, if, of course, he can survive the "120 degree summers" that the Valley has to offer.
